The Munster team has been named for Saturday’s crunch URC Round 18 clash against the Lions at Thomond Park (7.45 pm).

Niall Scannell and John Ryan are included in the matchday squad for what may be their final appearances at Thomond Park. The duo is retiring at the end of the campaign after making huge contributions to Munster Rugby. Scannell has made 210 appearances for Munster and earned 20 Ireland caps, while Ryan has played 256 games for his province, earning 24 Ireland caps.

Craig Casey captains Munster at Thomond Park for the first time.

There are five changes to the team that faced Connacht as Seán O’Brien and Jack Crowley come into the backline with Scannell, Jack O’Donoghue, and Brian Gleeson starting in the pack.

Mike Haley, Andrew Smith, and O’Brien start in the back three with an unchanged centre partnership of Dan Kelly and Alex Nankivell.

Casey and Crowley partner up in the half-backs.

Jeremy Loughman, Scannell, and Michael Ala’alatoa pack down in the front row with Tom Ahern and Fineen Wycherley in the engine room.

O’Donoghue, John Hodnett, and Gleeson complete the starting XV.

Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, and Ryan provide the front row back-up as Evan O’Connell, Gavin Coombes, and Alex Kendellen complete the forward cover.

Academy scrum-half Ben O’Donovan and JJ Hanrahan are the backline replacements.

Munster Rugby: Mike Haley; Andrew Smith, Alex Nankivell, Dan Kelly, Seán O’Brien; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey (C); Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Michael Ala’alatoa; Tom Ahern, Fineen Wycherley; Jack O’Donoghue, John Hodnett, Brian Gleeson.

Replacements: Diarmuid Barron, Josh Wycherley, John Ryan, Evan O’Connell, Gavin Coombes, Ben O’Donovan, JJ Hanrahan, Alex Kendellen.

Unavailable for selection this week:

Edwin Edogbo (shoulder), Lee Barron (neck), Roman Salanoa (hamstring), Conor Ryan (ankle), Paddy Patterson (knee), Michael Milne (calf), Oli Jager (head), Tadhg Beirne (knee), Jean Kleyn (bicep), Tom Farrell (shoulder), Calvin Nash (hamstring).

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